REM have announced that they will be hitting the UK for a full scale tour in 2005, kicking off in London's Hammersmith Apollo on Saturday 19 February.

The tour will see the band perform in some of the UK's top indoor arenas as well as a summer run of mammoth outdoor venues that will see the band put in a performance at Lancashire County Cricket Club on Friday 17 July.

It will be the first time that the US rock giants have played the UK since they were the toast of the summer with their triumphant performances at the Glastonbury and Move festivals in 2003.

The 50,000 capacity Cricket Ground at Old Trafford is bound to be an extremely fast seller following the bands previous headline performance at the Move Festival.

Tickets for all the 2005 dates go on sale Saturday 18 September at 9am. Tickets for Lancashire County Cricket club are priced at £35 (subject to booking fee) and are available from credit card hotlines 0870 143 2204/ 0870 400 0688. They can also be bought online at www.gigsandtours.com